Protecting seniors from cyberfraud

Cyberfraud doesn’t slow down for anyone, but two University of Calgary graduate students have proven they’re more than ready to pull the plug on one of Canada’s fastest-growing digital threats. Their research on protecting older adults from online scams has earned top national honours, showcasing how emerging leaders can help safeguard those most at risk.

Harshad Krishnaraj and Shah Zaib, both students in the Master of Information Security and Privacy program in the Faculty of Science, have been named winners of the 12th Annual Canada School of Public Service National Student Paper Competition. Their winning paper, Protecting Canada’s Seniors from Cyber Fraud Education Awareness and Policy Solutions, stood out for its blend of cybersecurity expertise, policy insight and lived experience.

The annual competition challenges graduate students across the country to develop research that informs federal policy. For Krishnaraj and Zaib, the recognition underscores both the urgency of senior cybersafety and the strength of UCalgary’s research community.

Harshad Krishnaraj’s research on senior cybersafety

When Krishnaraj, who graduated with his master's last fall, began investigating fraud targeting Canadian seniors, he focused on a central question: How can Canada protect older adults as digital systems replace in-person services? His work combined cybersecurity analysis, policy review and demographic insight, strengthened by guidance from his supervisor, Dr. Michelle Cheatham, PhD. 

Krishnaraj says the scale of the issue is clear: “Canadian seniors lost $38 million to fraud in 2021 alone, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.” 

He and Zaib studied common attack types including phishing, tech support scams, investment fraud, charity scams and online shopping schemes, along with the emotional and financial impacts these threats create.

A key gap shaped Krishnaraji’s direction. Most cybersecurity approaches assume users have similar levels of literacy and confidence, overlooking the specific vulnerabilities associated with age. This guided their recommendations toward education, institutional support and policy interventions that adapt to seniors’ needs. 

He sees the work as a chance to contribute to national change: “The potential to actually change how Canada protects vulnerable populations from cyberthreats was incredibly motivating.” His long-term aim includes partnering with government agencies to advance systemic and accessible cybersafety programs across Canada.

Shah Zaib’s motivation and policy-driven approach

Zaib’s connection to the issue began with a personal moment. A scammer once targeted his father, impersonating a border officer and attempting to coerce a large cash withdrawal. “This hit home with me and sparked ideas on things that could help,” he recalls. 

That experience reshaped his understanding of digital vulnerability and set him on a path focused on protecting older adults from exploitation. With guidance from his supervisor, Dr. Scott Radford, PhD, Zaib concentrated on developing policy solutions that could be realistically implemented on a national scale. 

His work examined how scammers operate, why seniors are disproportionately targeted, and how governments can better equip older adults to identify and avoid emerging threats.

Designing recommendations that could be effective across Canada’s diverse regions, communities and service systems was the greatest challenge of Zaib’s research. He credits the UCalgary environment with providing essential support throughout the process. 

“The UCalgary community is engaging and vibrant. My lifelong friends I met during the program made all the difference,” Zaib says. 

Drawing on this collaborative network and mentorship, Zaib was able to develop solutions that balance feasibility, inclusivity and impact. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue shaping policies and programs that strengthen seniors’ digital security while raising public awareness of the scams and tactics that threaten them.

Navigating the national student paper competition

The National Student Paper Competition offers graduate students the opportunity to bring innovative ideas to federal policymakers. The experience pushes participants to translate academic knowledge into actionable recommendations, a shift both students embraced.

Zaib describes his reaction to the news of their win simply. “Three words: Over the moon.” 

Krishnaraj recalls a moment of disbelief followed by a sense of responsibility. “Complete disbelief followed by overwhelming excitement. I had to read the Canada School of Public Service email multiple times to believe it,” he says.

Their shared excitement reflected the strength of their collaboration. Krishnaraj notes the value of complementary expertise. “I brought deep technical cybersecurity expertise, while Shah contributed public policy framework expertise,” he says. 

Zaib echoes this sentiment, reflecting on their teamwork with pride. “Working as a team was incredibly great. I am so grateful to work with a very talented person like Harshad," he says.

Together, their partnership allowed them to produce a submission that balanced technical rigour with actionable policy solutions, contributing to their national recognition.

The researchers developed recommendations designed to work across jurisdictions and service systems, grounded in feasibility and real-world implementation. Their success reinforces the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the role graduate students can play in shaping Canada’s digital future.

And, if their work is any indication, Canada’s seniors won’t be the only ones staying a step ahead of cyberthreats — the next generation of researchers clearly refuses to get caught in the scam.

Read Krishnaraj and Zaib's winning entry here.